The Corporate Nostalgia Thread
 

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h.../s580/1970.jpg
A Rolls Royce Silver Shadow poses next to the company mount, an HS 125-1B, in 1970

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Rolls Royce's HS125-1B G-ATPB as seen at Dusseldorf airport in 1970 (Photo: Steve Burland)

Is that a rope ladder ?! I can just hear the Captain - 'Throw down the ladder and let them aboard ! No cutlasses mind...'

ND: Lol, you never know .. although, I think it was actually of aluminium construction!

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Ferranti Electronics Chief Pilot (left) stands with my godfather, Ferranti Helicopters Managing Director Lt. Col. Robert 'Bob' Smith outside the Ferranti Flying Unit hangar at Edinburgh's Turnhouse airport in 1972 (Photo: TCAT)

Present in the image was Ferranti's HS125-3B G-AVXK (one of several 125's owned by Ferranti). This particular example was sold on to Shell Oil in 1975 then exported to Nigeria in 1981.

The helicopter, G-AWJW, was an Agusta-built 206 JetRanger which was fitted with Ferranti's Stability Augmentation System (SAS) - a device which gave the pilot limited hands-free operation. The craft was also fitted with Decca's DANAC moving map display system.

AWESOME photos. Thx

Agree!

Really nice pictures!

Thank you for sharing!

Sydy

Excellent pics; those where the days, and not a hi viz jacket in sight.

Not as old as the 125 photos, but from the mid 70s. A pair of Jet Commanders I used to fly back then. The photo was taken some where in Canada, can't remember where now.



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Once upon a time…
 

This Canadian Jetstar was a rare visitor to the General Aviation apron at Heathrow back in 1975...

Our company kept the registration and subsequently it was applied to a new Challenger 601-1A, then a new 601-3R and two new 604s that were delivered several years apart of which we still own one.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...ay19th1975.jpg

Wonderful to see the contributions from CP and JJ! :ok:

Keeping with the theme .. some North American nostalgia:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-o...k%27s+Lear.jpg
Frank Sinatra's Lear 24A N175FS with log book entry showing that a flight had taken place in 'ol' Blue Eyes' plane with John Lear, son of Learjet founder Bill Lear. Photo c. 1967

And back to Blighty ..

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The Ford Motor Company's HS125-403B G-AYFM as seen behind the Pan Am hangar on Heathrow's south side c. 1970 (Photo: Mick West)

1st pic location
 

Was this at Biggin Hill....

I remember a very early 125 called in, and a roller was close to the steps, sorry ladder.......

glf

GSA: Am making enquiries regarding the location of the shot in question. One presumes it is possible that it could be Biggin!

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De Havilland Aircraft Company DH125 Series-1 G-ASEC en-route between Hatfield and Heathrow in 1964

Registered to its manufacturer, the De Havilland Company of Hatfield, in 1962 this craft changed owners to Hawker Siddeley Aviation the following year and was then leased to Merlot International Aviation of Stanstead in 1973. Merlot became 'Executive Jet Aviation' who in-turn sold ASEC to Commercial Credit Leasing of Croydon in 1979 from where she went (the same year) to Bembridge Air Hire of Southend-on-Sea in Essex.

While with Bembridge she was re-registered as G-FIVE (although she looks nothing like a GV ;)) and subsequently ended-up with Nelson Leasing and Finance on who's books she remained until being de-registered in 1985.

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Italian registered Morane-Saulnier MS760B Paris II I-FINR at Paris Le Bourget in 1969 (Photo: The Davidson Family)

This craft later went on to fly as; F-BJZR, PH-MSS, N760N, YV-163CP and finally N760T.

5 relates to G5 security
 

based I remember at Staverton.

very short for the HS.

glf, (5)......

GSA: Thank you for that tidbit relating to G-FIVE! :ok:

A contemporary of Ferranti was the Dutch electronics firm Philips (who have managed to keep going) and who, like Ferranti, used to operate a reasonably well-established CFD (corporate flight department):

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Philips Dassault Falcon 20 PH-LPS as seen at London Gatwick on 31st May 1968 (Photo: Charlie Verrall)

As with Ferranti, Philips complimented their fixed-wing fleet with a 'blitterblat' for those all-important short hops!

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Philips Agusta-built 206A JetRanger PH-FSW as seen at Eelde in Holland on 17th July 1969 (Photo: Berend de Vries)

Nostalgic Canvas / Prints
 

I'd love to find a place that does nice nostalgic canvases / prints for my lounge... Anyone know of a good aviation gallery / website...? Love these pictures posted!!

Thanks.

CDP8

I have an especial interest in aviation art but .. I can tell you straight-up that sourcing high quality oil (or even water-based) paintings of civilian/general aviation subjects can be a trick - particularly of European aviation.

However, there are one or two galleries out there and, with enough searching, hopefully you'll find the right one.

You can start by browsing these sites.

Rgds

Sav

Thanks Sav!

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Boeing 737-259 VR-BEG at Dublin on 29th June 1985 (Photo: Ken Meegan)

Had several encounters with this craft during the early 80's. The last time I saw her must have been 1980-ish at Shannon Airport. At the time my godfather was personal helicopter pilot to the Irish race horse trainer Vincent O'Brien and, when on school holidays, I would come over to the Emerald Isle and accompany him on his tasks about the island.

One day we were tasked to collect a 'VIP' (they were all VIP's mind you) at Shannon. The passenger was Stavros Niarchos the shipping magnate also known as the 'Golden Greek'! Stavros was the man behind the development of the world's first 'super tankers'.

My godfather insisted that I wear a suit, don highly polished shoes and wear white gloves when I accompanied him on his work (despite the fact that I was just a wee lad) - and so I sprang into action after the immigration boys left the craft.

Stavros sauntered down the Boeing's steps whereupon I opened the door to the running helicopter and strapped him in. He was clearly impressed that the job was being done by a young teenager and stuffed a $100 bill in my hand (and which was a reasonable tip for 1980) before I closed the door with a broad smile on my face.

But .. $100 tip wasn't the highlight of the day .. but spending the entire day aboard the 'Beggar' (VR-BEG) was! In 1980 it wasn't common to see a 737 with a full bedroom and shower and so the tour round the craft was fascinating.

I spent most of the day with the stewards (all of them from Greece) who remained on-board and never entered the terminal. They prepared a superb (I should say exquisite) lunch for me and we played cards in the lounge and then watched a video (on betamax I think).

The air crew were Brits but had gone to the terminal for lunch and flight planning. I think they re-positioned to Dublin prior to flying to Kentucky the following day where Stavros had more horses.

The 737 was fitted with long-range tanks and which I guess were fitted inboard as opposed to some structural change around the bottom of the wing.

A beautiful craft with a lovely crew owned by a wonderful man.

Fond memories indeed!

Savoia,

Awesome story and photo. Thanks.

Klimax

VR-BEG usually based in LSZS, later replaced by a Falcon 900B (VP-BLB)

VR-BEG
 

Great crew, such an easy bunch to give Flt Ops Support to, t'was a pleasure. First came involved with this OP back with the DC3. Some crews still chums:ok:

VR-BEG
 

The Capt. Trevor Mercer was an absolute pleasure to work with:ok::ok:

Contemporary Nostalgia
 

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Dassault Falcon 50EX M-GPIK at Minsk Airport in Belarus in January 2010 (Photo: Pavel Adzhigildaev)

This contemporary image captures the classic lines of Minsk's gracious terminal building. Ahh .. if airports were but full of such buildings!

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Learjet 24D VH-SBC as seen at Perth, Western Australia in the earlry 70's (Photo: John Krepp)

This classic Lear was owned and operated by Australia's Swan Brewery Co. - hence the registration.

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BAe 125-700B G-OBAE poses with a Rolls Royce Silver Spur c. early 80's. (Location unknown)

In a small tribute to post #1 another 125 shown with another Rolls ten years on.

G-OBAE was registered to British Aerospace at Hatfield from 1980-83 after which she was sold to Switzerland.

A better shot of this craft, courtesy of Peter Webber, appears below:

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BAe 125-700B G-OBAE flares onto the tarmac at Farnborough on 3rd September 1980 (Photo: Pete Webber)

Hmmm which bizjet - everyone will remember - here's one!!

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/a...GCourtline.jpg

Classic Gulfstreams (G-II's and G-III's) In Action - YouTube

G2 Number 1 retires
 

Posted this elsewhere but seems more appropriate on this thread...

I think this event should not pass without some acknowledgement, so for all you Gulfstream fans out there...

Chicago-Palwaukee, IL - Sunday Sept 9th 2012.

Almost 46 years after first taking to the air, and following 42 years of service with it's only owner, the late Robert W Galvin and family, the very first Gulfstream jet N55RG serial number 1, departed PWK for the last time. At 10 AM local, she roared into the air off RW34 for a 1h 25m flight down to Charlotte, NC.

She will shortly go on display at the Carolinas Aviation Museum.

Here she is at PWK shortly before departure...

[img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8297/7...e241f830_b.jpg
N55RG by bethpagejet

And at Charlotte later that afternoon...

[img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8436/7...20e0a545_b.jpg
N55RG by bethpagejet

So the sun sets on a long and distinguished career...

[img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8322/7...cba243bc_b.jpg
N55RG by bethpagejet

If you live in Wheeling, the world suddenly got a whole lot quieter. For everyone else, a sad day...

Bethpage Jet

POST
 

Great Airplane I flew a G2 for about 250hr and loved every min of it sad to see these great airplanes just thrown away.

BizJets: In response to your 125 image .. yes this was a well-known craft in her day .. perhaps best remembered as the 'Shell Jet':

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HS125-3BRA G-AVRG (cn 25144) belonging to Shell Aircraft Ltd, parked in the old light park at London Heathrow in July 1978 (Photo: Paul Seymour)

412SP: Given your username can one assume that you are a 'rotarian'- lol? Enjoyed your nostalgic clips (although the Bob Hope JetStar video seems to have posted twice for some reason)!

Another nostalgic JetStar:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_...759/hughes.jpg

This JetStar, N207L, is attributed as having been used in a trans-Atlantic crossing by the late Howard Hughes. Sister ship N208L was similarly associated with the reclusive billionaire evidently having been regestered to the Hughes Tool Co. (No dates and my apolgies for the atrocious quality image).

A slightly better shot of N207L here:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j...ugust+1972.jpg
Lockheed JetStar N207L at Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, in August 1972

Savannah Jet: Great shots and what a great moment to capture as Serial No.1 embarks upon her final voyage! :ok: If you get the opportunity .. please post a shot of her once she has 'settled' into her new home at the Carolinas Museum.

Savoia
G-AVRG - great picture and takes me back an awful long time. She was one of the first Biz jets I ever worked on (huge jump from a PA28 and C150) at Field Aircraft Heathrow. I did once get a short ride out of Hatfield on her as G-OHEA after she was bought by Hatfield Executive Aviation (Rogers)
Sat in front of me as I write are pictures of G-BATA, G-AVAI, and G-BFSO all around 1979/80 at Heathrow. Some day I'll learn how to post them.
Mike Echo

Attempt 3! Aghh at posting pictures
All taken around Field Aircraft Services about 1979/80

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m...s643/GAVAI.jpg
G-AVAI belonged to Brown and Root 25125

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-H...s643/GBATA.jpg
G-BATA Belonged to Beecham's 25257
Geoff Shaw was, I think, the Chief pilot and was kind enough to take along a "Young Engineer" for his first HS125 flight when he had no pax.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i.../s620/bfso.png
G-BFSO Belonged to Dravidians/De Beers 257028

All sadly now scrapped or parted out but I think G-BATA is used as an instructional airframe at Kingston

Some great photographs ME; can you post any of G-DBAL? I think this 125-3B ended her days on the fire dump at SOU. I also think G-DBAL was originally G-BSAA? JB once said it was so old it flew for British South American Airways (BSAA) thus the registration! I seem to recall it had a lovely 70's cabin interior lots of orange and browns and one FJC hostess used to report that when it took off the smell of old socks would float back into the cabin from the flight deck! Ahh great LHR days!

Hi
G-DBAL 25117 (Built 1967) was owned by Aravco 1978 to 82 registered as G-BSAA and re-registered to DBAL by Echo Aviation in 1984. Registered to FJC in Oct 1984.
It seems to have ended it's days with Osprey. Myself and G-DBAL only overlapped by a couple of months and I don't remember having any pictures of it. There are one or two that can be found on the www and at least one as G-BSAA. T.M. was much more involved with the aircraft. I do remember some fairly heavy repairs to the lower wing skin.
M.E.
Just looked up the Original registration was 5N-AET, followed by 5N-AKT then G-BSAA

ME: Some enjoyable nostalgia from the Fields/Hunting days! :ok:

Celebrity 125

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I...%2C+c+1965.jpg
Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor arrive at RAF Abingdon, Oxfordshire, courtesy of an HS 125 c. 1965

And a black and white shot:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u...F+Abingdon.jpg

Anyone with any clues as to which 125 this might be .. your input would be most welcome.

Just back froma 2 weeks holiday with no internet!

With the pull out steps and up and over door I would suspect a Series 1 or 3B, but for 1965 it would probably be a Series 1, I'm not a work but think the 3B came in later than 1965 around 1966/67.

ME

The corporate nostalgia thread
 

Could be G-ATPB s/n 25089.

The best I could find is HB-VAY 25135 which Richard burton bought for Liz in Sept 1967. the paint scheme matches. I suppose the picture could be a file photo but I'll ask around on Monday

AP :: Images :: Enlarged View :: 6710130367 - Great Britain Abingdon Burton Taylor Private Plane

For reasons I can't work out the photo doesn't always show but if you click Print preview it does?

If it was HB-VAY then it was a 3B and Written off in July 1970.
I'm actually slightly confused as G-INFO and other sources shows this as being constructed in 1969.

M.E.

Savoia

What a great thread thank you.

Coupla things.

If you're having a hard time looking for oil paintings you need go no further than your friendly photographic store or somesuch expert.

We had recently had some 'atmospheric' photgraphs taken of our Challenger a little while later a parcel arrived with one of the best printed on what looked like canvas and with, I guess, some Photoshop trickery. You would be hard put to tell it from an oil painting.

We mean to have the same done with our Gulfstream.

The photo of VH-SBG caught my attentioon because it is taken right in front of our then new FBO at Perth Airport and the first for a very long time in Australia. My office was the one with the curtains pulled back. Murchison Air Services of which I was the Ops Director, ran a fleet of 25 aircraft ranging from Piper Cubs to C402 and Navajo aircraft around Western Australia.

I think the Capt of SPG was then Phil Rhyss and his sidekick a rascal whose name escapes me for the moment.

Swan Brewery for some time pretty much owned the supply of beer in Western Australia due to their tied hotel ownership, it eventually was bought by Alan Bond and like most of his "enterprises" fell into the hands of others. During his ownership however he operated 2 Falcon 900 before tyhe roof fell in.

It was fascinating to see the old HS125, we in Australia at the time were subject to a strange regulatory device which denied transport category aircraft to charter operation, presumably to protect our fragile 2 airline policy. In 1970 we ordered a 4BRA but were prevented from taking delivery by Customs for the aforementioned reason.

However 2 private owners, Tom the Cheap (discount food chain) VH-TOM VH-TOM(5) and Bell Brothers VH-BBJ(3) earthmoving contractors were able to bring theirs in. Western Australia was a bit of a performance struggle for the aircraft as the closest 'busy" areas Port Hedland and Dampier were 700nm from Perth with ISA +20 to +30 ambient landing and takeoff temps routine and you hardly ever see it cooler than ISA +10 enroute. In summer you had to get going in the very early morning, overnight usually +15.

There is a place called Marble Bar inland from Port Hedland.
Marble Bar has an arid climate with very hot summers and mild to warm winters. The town set a world record of most consecutive days of maximum temperatures of 37.8 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) or more, during a period of 160 such days from 31 October 1923 to 7 April 1924.[5]
During December and January, temperatures in excess of 45 °C (113 °F) are common, and the average maximum temperature exceeds normal human body temperature for 6 months each year. Rainfall mostly occurs in the summer months.

The roads were often cut off by flood, I can still see the looks on the thirsty townsfolk faces taxiing in as resupply with a ton of beer barrels for the Iron Clad hotel in an Islander VH-EQE this is one of the three. About a cuppla days supply.:{

Back to the brewery and VH-SPG, the very hot weather and the light ales and bitters they made drunk ice cold is why they made so much money. We had a couple of sayings peculiar to the area.
"Kimberley Cold" meant whilst the beer might have been between 1 or 2C straight out of the esky it tasted warm.
And when asked how far it was to an intended destination by car the answer would be expressed in the number of cans you would consume for short distances or "slabs" (24 pack) for the longer hauls. :ok:

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photo Kevin Evans/Flickr